◇ MICRO HOLY TRINITY ◇

Does Roger Smith count?

Jack Mason, Christopher Ward, Baltic in my humbled opinion of course.

Kind of depends on the definition of 'microbrand'., which is a whole other discussion.

Since I don't really know all of them (which actually might be beneficial), I'm going to say Christopher Ward (close to shedding the microbrand label), Farer & Baltic.

They are the ones I consistently see being talked about by the community.

Hello where is Farer ? 🇬🇧

Uhhh FARER is one of the ones I left out. I'm with you on "which brands are really micros" but I made this post just to see everyone's point of view regarding micros.

Off the top of my head

Kurono Tokyo

Helm

Zelos

Love Kurono Tokyo designs.

I don’t really have a trinity, but my faves right now are Henry Archer, Islander and Baltic. I love my Baltic Aquascaphe and I love the look of other Baltics, but I am not a fan of the smaller sizing of their latest watches.

I would say not? I dunno . . . I think the likes of Roger Smith etc is in another high horology/independent/bespoke category. Kurono would be though despite its associations to Hajime Asaoka . . . it's in the right price range, isn't bespoke or haute horology, and operates on familiar micro distribution models.

Same here . . . and I have one . . . but I'm not sure I'd place it in the top as its kind of niche, very specific to Asaoka's sensibility which is the pt. For dials? Sure . . . but even then there are some gripes many have with the hands etc. But I think with Kurono there's such an attention to design that other aspects kind of fall by the wayside . . . whereas Christopher Ward, Farer there's a catalog there that really pays attention to both design and function for a wide customer base. But very different business models and intentions.

Exactly, you nailed it.

Yep, I have and appreciate my Kurono b/c I like the designs and like the idea of having a Japanese independent in my watch box from a watchmaker I wouldn't be able to afford otherwise. Not perfect by any means, but I'm definitely paying for pretty and association haha. That's it.

Formex, Monta, Kurono.

This is tough. Based on how most people define micro brand my 3 picks would be:

1. Christopher Ward

2. Baltic

3. Lorier

These are brands that I see everyone talk about but even more so it's their catalogue. Each of the brands have so much to choose from. CW is arguably an independent brand. I'm not sure. Idk enough to compare them to say Oris. But CW, Baltic, and Lorier I could easily build a 3-5 watch collection from each brand.

Christopher Ward, Monta, Traska

Unimatic has been mentioned

I own an Islander Northport with the Miyota 9015 movement, really like the build quality and colorway, lume.

Nodus should be here

I have two Islanders and they are really great for the money!

Teddy's reference: https://teddybaldassarre.com/blogs/watches/microbrand-watches-complete-guide

For me...

1. Farer

2. Christopher Ward

3. Baltic

Honorable mentions

AnOrdain, Studio Underd0g, Vortic

It’s time for a new season championship.

In my opinion it'd have to be:

• Farer

• Zelos

• Christopher Ward

Honorable mentions:

Studio Underd0g, Orion, Swiss Watch Company

Nodus, Formex, Farer.

Based on actual purchases:

• Zelos

• Boldr

• Nite 😀

Replace Yema with Farer and I think you’re on the money.

Definitely Orion

Christopher Ward, Monta, Zelos

Direnzo & WISE watches.

Venezianico deserves a place

Came to say exactly this.

All three have been groundbreaking in various ways and have upped the standard for micros.